Tuesday, February 21, 2012

REVIEW: Christopher Paul Stelling - Songs of Praise & Scorn

In a world of music where production and trends have become increasingly more important than the music itself, it’s rewarding to come across musicians who still believe in a “less is more” mentality and recognize that music is not a magnet for attention and popularity but rather one of the most genuine ways of expressing oneself. Christopher Paul Stelling epitomizes this musical sincerity, and his debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn, is an incredibly honest, earnest record that’s just as personal as it is relatable and evocative.

Rooted in Stelling’s impeccable, at times furious, fingerpicking on his acoustic guitar as well as his croon-to-howl voice, Songs of Praise & Scorn is a demonstration, and perfect example, of how powerful the chemistry of a singular voice and guitar can be. While the music gets a boost from Cheyenne Marie Mize on violin, Julia Christgau on additional vocals, and some very, very sparse percussion, the allure here really lies in that marriage of voice and guitar. And when you come across a musician that is capable of capturing and rewarding your attention with such a bare-bones formula, you know the artist has something special going on.

Stelling’s blend of raw folk is flavored with a Southern blues soul. He sings stories of love, death, religion, and salvation, but never sounds like he’s preaching. If there’s one thing you could say about Stelling, it’s that conviction floods his veins, giving spark to his heartfelt performance on each of the album’s 10 tracks. Intimate doesn’t quite scratch the surface of his openness, his willingness to expose so much in such an eloquent yet emotionally intense manner. Pushing himself to the limits of his range or picking his guitar strings like he’s fighting back the devil, Stelling proves to be a truly great songwriter and performer with his embodiment of an old American spirit and classic realism.

Kicking up dust right off the bat, opener “Mourning Train To Memphis” flies along with some mighty fine fingerpicking and sweetly rustic violin; it’ll wrap up your ears just as much as it’ll pull up a chair for you to sit and enjoy the rest of the album. “The Ocean Stole My Love Away” is as beautiful as its title suggests (that’s incredibly beautiful, for the record). When Mize’s violin flows into the chorus, it feels as magnificent and comforting as a drive through the countryside. The longing of “Little Broken Birds” is quite palpable, whisking you away on a strong wind of Stelling’s well-choreographed dance of notes.

Songs of Praise & Scorn is a lighthouse of a record, a beacon of authenticity in a world of music weighted down by uniformity and overproduction. It’s real folk music without pretense, and it possesses the same poignant, emotionally charged spirit of ‘60s-era folk with the enchanting mood of the Deep South. It may be early in the year, but I’d argue Songs of Praise & Scorn is bound to be one of 2012’s best debuts.

Songs of Praise & Scorn is out today via Mecca Lecca Recording Co. Stelling is on tour now. Check out the dates below.